4 Things to Know About Apple’s Staingate Screen Issue

Apple’s free repair program for staingate has ended The anti-reflective coating peeling on MacBook Airs and some 2015–2017 MacBook Pros was covered for four years from purchase. That window has closed for most machines, so you’ll pay out of pocket now.

The peeling is cosmetic, not functional The coating flakes off near keyboard imprints or edges. It looks terrible but doesn’t affect how the laptop works. Apple considers it a cosmetic issue not covered under standard warranty.

Your cheapest fix is a DIY coating removal A Lysol wipe or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can strip the remaining coating evenly, leaving a matte finish. It’s not abrasive enough to damage the glass, but you’ll lose the anti-reflective layer entirely.

Replacing the screen is rarely worth it On an older MacBook Air, a new screen costs more than the laptop is worth. Your real options are living with the damage, trying the DIY strip, or gambling on a third-party replacement.